Goaltender Brett Brochu has earned a distinction only three other London Knights have had the honour of receiving in league history.
Brochu was named the Ontario Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year on Thursday. The distinction, selected by OHL general managers, has been awarded by the league each year since the 1987-88 season.
“It’s a huge honour receiving this award,” Brochu said in a statement. “It was a big goal of mine to achieve and I’m really grateful to have been able to play behind such a great team. I’m grateful to have been able to grow my game as much as I have throughout my season playing in the OHL.”
Brochu is the first London Knights goaltender to win the Jim Rutherford Trophy since Michael Houser was named the OHL’s best goaltender in 2012. Prior to that Steve Mason and Adam Dennis claimed the prize in 2007 and 2006.
Brochu backstopped the Knights to the franchise’s third consecutive Midwest Division title, going 29-11-2-0 with a 2.75 goals-against average, .911 save percentage, and two shutouts in 43 games. The 19-year-old Belle River native also played for Team Canada in the abbreviated 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
He is the 31st-ranked North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings.
“It’s well deserved and well earned,” Knights Owner and General Manager Mark Hunter said of Brochu’s win. “We are very proud of Brett and glad he is being recognized with this award.”
